Quote from: john smith 19 on 07/15/2020 05:37 amI've often thought LV designers don't make nearly enough use of just coasting to gain altitude before they start the next stage. They seem eager to just get the next one lit. This is because they are trying to limit the number of engines (and thus cost) in the upper stages, so the acceleration is low. There is also a point where adding additional engines decreases performance due to the extra mass not making up for the reduction in gravity losses. Eris must have high acceleration in the first and second stage, similar to solid ICBM type missiles which are then used as launch vehicles.
I've often thought LV designers don't make nearly enough use of just coasting to gain altitude before they start the next stage. They seem eager to just get the next one lit.
Good news for Gilmour. They got their first Australian customer! I hope Space Machines know that their payload only has a 50% chance of making it into orbit.https://www.gspacetech.com/post/gilmour-space-to-launch-space-machines-company-on-first-eris-rocket
Northrop Grumman has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Queensland-based rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies to support the development of Australian sovereign space capabilities.As an initial task under the MOU, Northrop Grumman will join Gilmour Space as an industry partner on a previously announced Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) to develop composite rocket tanks for low cost space transport.
Momentus and Gilmour have signed a launch contract!https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/launch/4651-gilmour-space-announces-launch-partnership-with-momentus"Gilmour Space has the option to book up to three Vigoride charter missions for orbital transfer services from Momentus over the 2023-25 period, while Momentus will purchase one dedicated Eris launch service from an Australian launch site."
New year, new record for Australia’s Gilmour SpaceQueensland-based rocket developer Gilmour Space Technologies has welcomed the new year with a successful hot-fire of the world’s largest single-port hybrid rocket engine.In a milestone achievement for the Australian rocket business ahead of the first commercial payload launch for Australian companies Space Machines Company and Fireball International, the successful test-firing of the 91-kilonewton rocket engine.Adam Gilmour, CEO and co-founder of Gilmour Space, a Queensland-based company that is developing a three-stage rocket capable of launching small satellites into low-Earth orbits, explained the importance of the successful test firing: “We achieved a record 91 kilonewtons (or 9 tonnes-force) of thrust in this initial verification test of our main engine.“This is the engine that will be powering the first and second stages of our Eris orbital vehicle as it launches to space. I'm happy to report that all systems performed very well during this 10-second test. Our team will be going through the results and conducting longer duration and higher thrust tests in the weeks ahead.”
Today we welcomed Australian Space Agency head, Enrico Palermo, to our rocket factory in Gold Coast, QLD.Enrico, previously COO of Virgin Galactic (another hybrid rocket company that’s now worth US$12B), knows all about the challenges of pioneering ‘new’ tech. In his update to the team, he said he was very much looking forward to helping the #AustralianSpace industry develop & launch our tech and capabilities to the world.
https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/launch/4817-australian-gilmour-space-technologies-fleet-space-technologies-sign-agreementAustralian Gilmour Space Technologies, Fleet Space Technologies sign agreementLiam Garman31 March 2021“We have signed a contract to launch six Fleet Space Centauri nanosatellites on our Eris rockets in 2023,” he said.
Two of Australia’s New Space pioneers — Queensland rocket manufacturer Gilmour Space Technologies, and South Australian nanosatellite manufacturer for the Internet of Things (IoT), Fleet Space Technologies — are joining forces to launch small satellites to orbit.
EDIT 2: Now all we need to do is find somewhere for them to launch from.
DEWC Systems and Australian launch services company Gilmour Space Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), aimed at facilitating collaboration for the launch of the next-generation Miniaturised Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor Systems (MOESS) system — a reprogrammable, multi-purpose electromagnetic sensor system integrated and deployed on micro satellites.
Whilst the cynical could see that presser as merely being Gilmour crying poor:Quote"We haven't got any money from the space agency, but we are confident our technology will work, we just need the funding," he said. of more interest to me is the "Launch Whitsunday" concept which it seems is proposed near Abbot Point just outside Bowen in North Queensland.
"We haven't got any money from the space agency, but we are confident our technology will work, we just need the funding," he said.
Gilmour Space mulling new launch site in QueenslandGilmour Space Technologies has reportedly expressed interest in opening a new launch site in Queensland, with the state government proposing Abbot Point, Mackay, as the potential home for the facility. A technical and environmental investigation into the opportunity to launch space rockets from Abbot Point reportedly found that the site would be suitable for small-scale launch vehicles.The Palaszczuk government confirmed it is working with Gilmour and local industry stakeholders to advance the project.Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles noted the advantages of opening a new launch site in Queensland. “Growing our space industry in Queensland will add billions to the economy and create thousands of local jobs,” the minister said. “That’s why we are committed to the development of launch infrastructure.“Our easterly facing position, proximity to the equator, and our leading launch and propulsion companies make Queensland the perfect place to invest in space.”
QUEENSLAND ON SPACE LAUNCH TRAJECTORYPublished Thursday, 20 May, 2021 at 08:10 AMDeputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and PlanningThe Honourable Dr Steven MilesQueensland could be home to a new space launch facility at Abbot Point near Mackay.Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said Queensland has plenty of home-grown advantages in the emerging space industry.“Growing our space industry in Queensland will add billions to the economy and create thousands of local jobs. That’s why we are committed the development of launch infrastructure.“Our easterly facing position, proximity to the equator, and our leading launch and propulsion companies make Queensland the perfect place to invest in space.” Mr Miles said.“The technical and environmental investigation into the opportunity to launch space rockets from Abbot Point has found this particular site is suitable for small-scale launch vehicles.“Gilmour Space Technologies has expressed an interest in the site.“We are keen to work with the team at Gilmour and local stakeholders."A facility like this would launch Queensland’s economic recovery into orbit. "Mr Miles said other potential launch sites Queensland would also be considered.“We also want to position the state to have the potential to meet longer-term, broader industry requirements,” he said.“Having multiple launch facilities would be a huge drawcard for Queensland, which would undoubtedly bring more global players and jobs to the state.“Investing in priority industries like space is a part of our economic recovery plan." Queensland’s Strategic Defence Advisor for Aerospace, Air Vice-Marshal Neil Hart (ret’d) said launch facilities are one of the foundational elements of developing a true sovereign space capability.“There is considerable interest in leveraging the geographic advantage of an East coast launch from low latitudes,” Mr Hart said.“Identifying a site along the Queensland coast with the potential to launch multiple and large payloads to a range of nationally significant orbits would be a significant contribution to Australia's growing space capabilities.”Mr Miles said in addition to this ongoing work, the next actions of our strategy will be underway, including working with the space industry to support the development of a rocket engine test site and an Earth observation data analytics hub.“These projects align with Queensland’s strengths, will boost our economic recovery and will help ensure the growth of our space industry is all systems go,” Mr Miles said.ENDS
Putting my hand up, I'm one of the naysayers. Did you see their Facespace post today? Below is the supplied pic. That rocket looks very familiar. If I had to guess it's the same one from the photo a few posts above. Notice the fins are identical. But this rocket appears shorter. It's almost as if they took the rocket that let go on the pad, cut out the damaged bits, and bolted it back together.
Queensland-based Gilmour Space Technologies has secured $61 million in funding to launch its first orbital rocket next year.The business, founded by two brothers in 2013, secured the cash from venture capital investors as part of their Series C round funding, now raising a total of $87 million.The funders involved also include US-based Structure Ventures, Australian venture capital firms Blackbird and Main Sequence, and super funds HESTA, Hostplus and NGS Super.The money will facilitate the launch of its “first orbital rocket in 2022”, grow its team, build “sovereign space manufacturing capability for rockets” and most notably, sending hybrid propulsion rockets into space.---------------Despite one of SpaceDev’s SpaceShipOne developments killing three employees in 2007 through a hybrid motor burning with HTPB and nitrous oxide, this type of technology is still considered far safer than solid propellants.In 2022, the Gilmour Space Technologies is aiming to launch its ‘Eris’ orbital rocket into Low Earth Orbit.
Queensland rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies has formed an alliance with Berlin-based Exolaunch for a “rideshare” in small satellite launches and deployment.Under the agreement, the companies will provide tailored launch, precise deployment and in-space transportation services for small satellite operators using Gilmour’s Eris – a hybrid launch vehicle.This new deal aligns with the Australian Space Agency’s national civil priority areas, a roadmap of the industry over the next decade including access to space, earth observation and more.Gilmour recently raised $61 million from global investors in July, boosting its total funding to $64 million, the largest private equity investment bagged in Australia.
